Chinese artist Mona He made history at Burning Man 2024 as the first female Chinese honoraria recipient of the large-scale event, leading a team of over 70 artists, engineers, and creatives in bringing to life Mona Mushroom—an ambitious fusion of sculpture, technology, and performance that captivated 70,000 attendees with its scale and interactivity.
Following this success, Mona He is already preparing for her next large-scale installation at Burning Man 2025: MONA DIE! DIE! DIE!. This project will explore themes of impermanence, transformation, and uncertainty through an interactive die-shaped installation that will be burnt during the Mona Funeral March, a ceremonial procession reflecting on life cycles and change.
The Mona Mushroom. Photo by Mark Fromson.
A Visionary Female Artist Reshaping Public Art
Born in Sichuan, China, Mona He pursued her artistic training at the China Academy of Art, specializing in sculpture. As an artist and team leader, she has continually pushed boundaries in public art, merging mythology, science, and large-scale installations to create transformative experiences. Her leadership at Burning Man 2024 extended beyond her own artistic vision, fostering a collective effort that brought together experts from diverse disciplines to realize an unprecedented artistic feat.
Building the Fungal Kingdom: A Communal Effort
Following her Mona Bunny installation at Burning Man 2023, Mona He returned with Mona Mushroom, an 8-meter-tall, 3-ton stainless steel sculpture that appeared organic and soft despite its industrial material. By day, it stood as a striking landmark; by night, it became a whimsical, interactive experience. Inside the mushroom’s stem, a mirrored chamber reflected LED visuals contributed by international artists, creating an immersive, otherworldly effect enhanced by swirling fog and laser-lit projections.
The installation was woven into a rich mythology—an ancient fungal network awakening beneath the playa, surfacing to explore the world and inviting participants into its Wonderland-inspired journey.
Mona Mushroom’s laser show, designed by Chinese artist Li Quansheng, projected intricate patterns onto the sculpture’s gills, synchronized with the album Music for a Mushroom, co-produced by Jason Adams and Janis Hesse. The spectacle expanded into the sky with a 1,001-drone performance, the largest in Burning Man history. The drones mimicked mycelial formations, surreal figures, and a deeply personal sequence depicting Mona He’s childhood—walking home alone, feeling alienated, before being lifted into the sky by the Burning Man effigy.
The 1,001-drone performance. Photo by Mark Fromson.
Mona He’s team orchestrated the Million Mushroom March, a theatrical pilgrimage enacting a battle between the Kingdom of Fungi and the Kingdom of Animalia. Leading the march were the Mushroom King, Mushroom Pope, and Mushroom General, followed by hundreds of participants in mushroom-themed costumes carrying luminous props and banners.
The event featured talks at Center Camp by notable figures including Alex Grey, Allyson Grey, Rick Doblin, Pamela Kryskow and Chuchu Wang, covering topics such as mycology, psychedelic art, and therapy. The march culminated in DJ performances by The Human Experience, Allen Hulsey, and Pierre, followed by the spore-themed drone show.
At the heart of this effort was Mona Camp, a 70-person collective of scientists, engineers, musicians, and artists who worked together to construct and maintain the installation. Key contributors included neuroscientist Janis Hesse (project lead), architect Drew Wilson (camp lead), beast-of-all-trades Liquid (build lead), mycologist Andy Tsai (operations lead), systems engineer Peiji Duan (electricity lead), and artists Ming Ke, Yaqin He and Bowei Wang (logistics leads).
Beyond Burning Man: Mona He's Broader Impact on Art and Education
Mona He’s artistic influence extends beyond large-scale festival installations. As the founder of Mona Foundation, she has been an advocate for public art, youth art education, and community-driven creativity.
Mona He believes in the power of art to drive social change. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she led a series of interactive projects with young students, including a thematic series on self-portraits, pandemic reflections, human-animal coexistence, and interpersonal relationships. These projects later aligned closely with national entrance exam themes, reinforcing the relevance of artistic expression in contemporary discourse.
Beyond education, she has spearheaded public art initiatives using art to revitalize rural communities, and youth art charity auctions, raising funds to support children’s artistic development. Through her work, she continues to challenge traditional boundaries of art, education, and public engagement.
The Mona Bunny. Photo by Mattias Löw.
Looking Ahead: Mona Camp and Burning Man 2025
As a pioneer in large-scale public art and a dedicated educator, Mona He is committed to expanding access to art education and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations. Her approach integrates art, technology, and social activism, creating a holistic model of artistic engagement that resonates globally. From the sands of Black Rock City to classrooms and museums, her journey is a testament to the transformative power of art in shaping minds and communities.
Mona Camp is now recruiting artists, engineers, and volunteers for Burning Man 2025. Those interested in joining the creative process of MONA DIE! DIE! DIE! can become part of this growing artistic movement, contributing their skills to an evolving vision of public art and community engagement.
To follow Mona He’s journey and get involved, visit monaartfund.org, support at crowdfundr.com/crowdfundr.mona.com or connect with her on Instagram at @mona_miaohe.
Media Contact
Company Name: Mona Art Foundation
Contact Person: Miao He
Email: Send Email
City: New York
State: New York
Country: United States
Website: http://monaartfund.org
